Career Veteran and Honored Vietnam Soldier, Robert B Combs, Sr passes away

                                                         SGT Robert Benjamin Combs

Obituary

“Will the Circle Be Unbroken in the Sky Lord Bye & Bye”

Robert Benjamin Combs, Sr was the 3^rd living son of the late Willie B. and Simmie Mae Hawkins Combs.  He was born in Suwannee County, FL (Cobie Ellis Homestead) on November 19, 1947. He attended Douglas High School and graduated with the Class of 1967.  After graduation he enlisted in the US Army on November 4, 1967 at Jacksonville, FL and went on to become a career veteran.

He served honorably in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970 and after 20 years of faithful service he was honorably discharged from the United States Military on July 1, 1988 at Fort Stewart, GA.

A summary of his decorations and medals include the Army Service Ribbon, The National Defense Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Overseas Service Bar. At the time of his demise he was an employee of the city of West Palm Beach, FL.

His first marriage to Albertina Vaughn produced one son, Robert, Jr. His marriage to his 2^nd wife Evelyn Clayton was brief and produced no children.  He then married his present wife, Althea Stewart, on June 19, 1991 in West Palm Beach, FL and gained a Stepdaughter. 

  When growing up in Live Oak, Suwannee Co. FL, he spent lots of time with his paired sibling, Little David. 

He possessed a very mild mannered disposition and was given to good hospitality and humor.  He was the first one to break a link in the chain of the ten surviving siblings of Will and Simmie Combs. His gracious smile and delightful antics will be greatly missed.

Upon hearing the Master’s call, he responded obediently like a good soldier always does and quietly boarded that heaven-bound train during the early morning hours of Wednesday November 12, 2008 at the Veterans Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL. 

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Althea Stewart Combs; a son, Robert B Combs, Jr; Stepdaughter, Marci; Granddaughter, Alicia; Father and Mother-in-Law; Marsel and Ethline Stewart of West Palm Beach. Four sisters; Mary Little (Morrell) of Melbourne, FL; Addie L Burkett of Tallahassee, FL; Lela Shuler (George) of Lake Placid, FL; and Lillie Harris (Enoch) of Lake City, FL; Five Brothers; Rev. Willie B. Combs Jr. (Lillian) of Bartow, FL; Leamon Combs (Gloria) of Arcadia, FL; Little David Combs (Anita) of Live Oak, FL; Rev. Phillip Combs, Sr (Evang. Shelia) of Madison, FL; and Rev. Matthew Combs, Sr. (Diane) of Madison, FL.  Additionally there are 13 nieces, 20 nephews and many cousins, classmates and friends.

                                                            Free At Last, Free At Last

Thank God Almighty

I'm free At Last

Ethel Bryant Carr Passes Away

Ethel Bryant Carr was born November 12, 1929 in Live Oak, Florida to loving parents John and Leslie Bryant. She was the oldest of four children John D. Bryant, J.W. Bryant and Josephine Bryant Hughes who all preceded her in death.

Ethel relocated to Miami, Florida, where she met and married her companion for life, Virgil Carr on January 20, 1947 who preceded her in death. This loving and devoted union lasted 65 years and produced one child.

Ethel loved to cook. She found her passion in preparing various cuisine foods. Having such a strong enthusiasm to cook, she later entered into partnership to form a catering business.

She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and while living in Miami, Florida she joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (Over Town) under the leadership of the late Reverend Ross, and late Reverend C.J. Burney.
Ethel then relocated her membership to New Providence Missionary Baptist Church where she was one of the founders under the leadership of the late Reverend James Walthour, Reverend Vinson Davis Jr. and under the leadership of the present pastor, Reverend Steven Caldwell.

She was a charter member of the church where she was devoted since 1960 and through the years served faithfully on Usher Ministry number one, sang in Choir number one, and took great pride and joy working dearly with The Youth Ministry which consists of the Youth Ushers and Youth Choir.

Ethel enjoyed serving her Lord and Master. She was true to her calling when it came to ministering and supporting The Youth Ministry. Ethel Loved the Lord and enjoyed going to church on Sunday mornings until her health failed.

Ethel Bryant Carr was granted her angel wings on December 14, 2012. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Ethel had touched in some small way throughout her memorable life.

When Ethel transitioned from this life to be with her Heavenly Father, she left the following loved ones to cherish her memories a Faithful and Devoted Daughter, Jacquelyn Carr Pruitt; Grandson, Dedrick V. Carr Sr.; Great-Grandson, Dedrick V. Carr Jr.; one Brother-in law, Theodore Carr(Ceciliar), Cousins, Louise V. Jones, and Rhonda Bryant Valentine ( Marvin) Atlanta Georgia; God-daughters, Antionette James, and Linda Blackshear; Adopted daughters, Patricia Holmes, Janet Vereen, and Elizabeth Person and a host of Relatives and Friends.

Judge Robert Carter Passes Away

1917-2012

Robert L. Carter, a former federal judge in New York who, as a lawyer, was a leading strategist and a persuasive voice in the legal assault on racial segregation in 20th-century America, died on Tuesday morning in Manhattan. He was 94.  Often toiling behind the scenes, Mr. Carter had a significant hand in many historic legal challenges to racial discrimination in the postwar years. None was more momentous than Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark case that led in 1954 to a Supreme Court decision abolishing legal segregation in the public schools. Robert Lee Carter was born in Caryville, in the Florida Panhandle, on March 17, 1917, the youngest of nine children. His family moved to New Jersey when he was 6 weeks old, and his father, Robert L. Carter, died when he was a year old. His mother, Annie Martin Carter, took in laundry for white people for 25 years.

Mr. Carter recalled experiencing racial discrimination as a 16-year-old in East Orange, N.J. The high school he attended allowed black students to use its pool only on Fridays, after classes were over. After he read in the newspaper that the State Supreme Court had outlawed such restrictions, he entered the pool with white students and stood up to a teacher’s threat to have him expelled from school. It was his first taste of activism, he said.
He attended two predominantly black universities: Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he enrolled at 16, and Howard University School of Law in Washington. He then went to Columbia University as a graduate student and wrote his master’s thesis on the First Amendment. He used parts of the thesis in preparing for the school segregation cases in the 1950s.              

     

Juanita Brown Carter Passes Away

Ms. Juanita Gwendolyn Brown Carter passed away on Friday December 23, 2011 in Gainesville, FL.  She was born in Jacksonville, FL September 13, 1929 to the late Elsie Mack and Charlie Brown.  The funeral was held at Hopewell MBC in Fort Union, Suwannee, FL and burial followed in the church cemetery.  She is survived by 3 children:  Doredion, Elsie Ann and Clifford Brown(Yon Cha).  Also she leaves many grandchildren and great children to cherish her memory.
D M Udell's Funeral Home was in charge of final arrangements.

Elder Cleo Bernard Williams a Live Oak resident passes away

Elder Cleo B Williams a life long resident of Live Oak, FL passed away in Tallahassee, FL on Friday, November 25th, 2011 at 6:15 pm.  He was born in Monticello, FL on July 24th, 1940 to Elliott Williams and the late Martha Hogan Brown.   He was also the foster son of the late Bishop David and Easter McCray of Live Oak, FL.  His funeral was held Triump the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ where Elder Lee Ann Charlton is the Pastor.  Burial was in Monticello, FL at the Bolen Community Cemetery.   The Tillman Funeral Home, Inc of Monticello, FL directed.

He was an outstanding member & Minister of the Holy Temple Church where he devoted many years of faithful service under the leadership of the late Bishop David A McCray.  At the time of his demise he was a member under watch care at the PCR of Live Oak, FL  where Elder Pendergrath is the pastor.  He possessed an unyielding passion for working in the church.  While living in Tallahassee, FL he attended the College Hill COGIC and was a devoted member of the FAMU Gospel Choir.  He was a very caring person and was always willing to lend a helping hand.  He was devoted caregiver to many including his late wife and mother.
He will be missed by his family and many devoted friends.

Leroy Cunigan a former resident of Live Oak, FL Passes Away

1946-2011

Mr Leroy Cunigan a former resident of Live Oak, FL passed away on  Sunday, November 6, 2011 in Orlando, FL   He was born on August 30, 1946 and was the first born of Titus Cunigan and Josephine Johnson. .  He graduated asValedictorian of OBrien High School as well as class president.  He was a 1972 Graduate of the FAMU School of Business. He was formerly married to Ethel Lugenia Graham and they had one son together.  In his latter years he returned to Live Oak, FL and became a Tax Consultant for the community at large.  When his health declined he returned to Orlando, FL and there is where he passed away on November 6, 2011.   He was very interested in the family genealogy and worked deligently to procure a wealth of Family Info for the Family Tree.  He will be dearly missed by many relatives and sorrowing friends.  His Funeral was held at Bethlehem AMEC of McAlpin,  FL where Rev Charles Burke was the Eulogist and burial followed in the Bakersville Cemetery (aka Smith Cemetery).  The Bennie Thomas Funeral Home of Live Oak, FL directed.

Ancestral Note:  Leroy was the Nephew of Charlie Hawkins and the Grandson of Roxie Hawkins Smith

Gerald Haynes of Madison, FL Passes Away

Deacon Gerald Dale Haynes, a Madison, FL resident, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September, 23, 2011.  He was the son of Timothy and Lillie Rea Haynes and husband of Shirley Haynes and was born on June 18, 1964.   He operated his own Lawn Service business and was employed by Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. for over 30 years.  He graduated from Madison High School in 1981 and later went on  to Jacksonville, FL to become a certified meat cutter.  He loved greeting and meeting people and oft times offered words of encouragement to those he met.  He will be greatly missed by his family, community and those in his workplace.
He was funeralized at Damascus Baptist Church on October 21, 2011 and was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.  Cooks and Cooper Funeral Home of Madison, FL. directed.

Josephine Bryant Hughes Passes Away in Georgia

1934-2011

Ms. Josephine Bryant Hughes who was the youngest daughter of the late Johnnie Bryant and Arleslie Hawkins Bryant passed away in Austell, GA. on September 11, 2011.  She was born on February 22, 1934 in Fort Union, Suwannee, FL and was raised by close relatives after the death of her mother when she was about 5 months old.  She was retired from her former occupation as a supply technician at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL.  Prior to her death she was living in Tallahassee, Leon, FL and was a member of the Tabernacle MBC.  Her funeral was held at the Tabernacle MBC and was buried in the Tallahassee Memory Gardens.  Richardsons' Family Funeral Care of Tallahassee, FL directed.

She is survived by her loving children; Freddie Jones (Alfreda), Pamela Wiggins, Herman Bryant, Daphne Bryant, Rhonda Bryant Valentine, Derrick Bryant, & Cedric Bryant; a sister Ethel Carr; a very special cousin, Addie Lee Burkett; and a host of grands, great-grands, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter Dava Okon.

Rev Dr. Zachery Tims Found Dead in New York Hotel

Rev. Zachery Tims Senior Pastor and Founder of New Destiny Christian Center was found dead in a New York Hotel on Friday morning August 12, 2011.  The Funeral was held at the First Baptist Church of Orlando, FL on Saturday August 20, 2011.  He was 42 and he is survived by four children.  The 2 Churches he pastored at the time of his death when combined together were considered to be a Megachurch for the Orlando Community.  One of the several ministries of the Church was an all encompassing outstanding youth progam.  He will be dearly missed.  Servant of God Well Done.

1969-2011







First African American Secret Service Agent Dies at 82

Agent Charles L Gittens the first black Secret Service Agent died at the age of 82 in Maryland.  He began working for the agency in 1956 and retired in 1979.  The McQuire Funeral Home, Inc of Washington, DC handled final arrangements.



Shellie Thomas Quick Brown wife of the late Mortician Ansel Brown Dies

Professor Shellie Quick Brown formerly of Madison, FL died at her home on September 16, 1977 in Live Oak, FL.  She was the wife of the late Mortician Ansel Leo Brown.  She was an outstanding educator in Suwannee County for many years.  She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Stars.   She possessed a wealth of social skills and showed love to many that were in need.  At the time of her death she was a very faithful member the historic First African Missionary Baptist Church. 
Her funeral was held at the Ebenezzer AME Church and she was interred in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in her town of Madison, FL.
At the time of her dismise she was survived by two children: Ansel, Jr and Darlene.

Mortician Ansel Leo Brown Passes Away

Mr. Ansel Leo Brown originally from Monticello, FL passed away on March 4, 1976.  Mr. Brown was born in Monticello, FL but relocated to Live Oak, FL when he was around 14 years of age.  As a young lad he began working with a local non African American Funeral Home.   He later opened his own establishment and served the community dutifully for many years.  After his death his surving wife passed the Funeral Home to Mortician Douglas M Udell.  The Funeral Home has now become the D M Udell & Sons Funeral Home.
He was married to the late Shellie Thomas Quick Brown of Madison, FL.  Together they raised two children Ansel, Jr and Darlene.
He is believed to be in the group with some of the first fully licensed African American Morticians in the State of Florida
He is buried in the adjoining section to the East Side Memorial Cemetery.

Edward K Bass, Sr Passes Away

Mr Edward K Bass aka  EK passed away on July 26, 1970.  He was co-owner of the Bass & Hall Funeral Home for many years which was located in Live Oak, FL.  His partnership in the business was eventually purchased by Charles T Hall and the funeral home became Hall's Funeral Home.  He was born in Alabama and was married to the late Ethel Collier Bass.  At the time of his death he was predeceased by his son, Edward, Jr.  He was interred in the East Side Memorial Cemetery of Live Oak, FL.

Dr. Alfonso Levy Passes Away

Dr. Alfonso Levy of Lake City, FL passed away on July 4, 2011.  He was an outstanding Muscian and Educator for over 50 years in Lake City, FL and the Continental United States.   His funeral was held on July 9, 2011 at the Alfonso Levy Performing Arts Center located on the campus of the Florida Gateway College.

1928-2011

Mortician Marvin Zanders of Apopka, FL Passes Away

Mortician Marvin C Zanders passed away in Apopka, FL on December 12, 2010.  The funeral was held at the New Destiny Christian Center on December 20, 2010 and the interment followed in the Pineywood Cemetery.  The Marvin C Zanders Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of final arrangements.  
He had been a dedicated Mortician to the Central Florida area for over fifty years.

1934-2010

Mortician Charles T Hall Passes Away

Mortician Charles Theodore Hall passed away quietly at his home in Live Oak, FL on April 23, 2006.  He had been in the Mortuary Business for over fifty years and was the owner of two funeral homes at the time of his death.  He was predeceased by his parents Eddie and Henrietta Hall; and grandparents Rev. Charles and Tamar Savage.  He was married to the late Louise Hicks who was also a mortician.
He was funeralized at the First African Baptist Church and entombed in the East Side Memorial Annex Cemetery.

First Female Mortician of Live Oak Passes Away

Louise Deloris Hicks Hall the first female African American Mortician in Live Oak, FL passed away on June 5, 2011 in Live Oak, FL.  She was the daughter of the late Charles and Arelius Hicks.  She was predeceased by her husband Mortician Charles T Hall who was owner of the Charles T Hall Funeral Homes in Live Oak and Jasper, FL.  The funeral was held at Ebenezzer AME Church in Live Oak, FL and interment followed in the East Side Memorial Annex Cemetery.